Book excerpt: During the last two decades inverse problems in vibration have been studied extensively, and have formed a new research discipline in applied mechanics. These investigations have been accelerated through the rapid advancement of computer technology, while finite element and boundary element methods have stimulated the application of inverse problems in vibration. In the seismic-resistant design of building structures, the concept of 'performance-based design' has become very significant following such earthquakes as the Loma Prieta Earthquake (San Francisco, 1989), the Northridge Earthquake (Los Angeles, 1994) and the Hyogoken-Nanbu Earthquake (Kobe, 1995), and is now being incorporated into the design process of actual building structures. This book introduces a new dynamic structural design approach using inverse problem formulations to overcome several problems in the rationalization and systematization of structural design processes. A new direction for seismic-resistant design founded on the concept of performance based design is also proposed. Most of volume is based on the author's own work, and much of the contents has not been previously published. Simple models are includ